after windows reinstall problems

Question

After spending over a week trying to fix my sis's dell and reading, reading, reading, I am exhausted and hope I can find some help here. I want to list step by step what I have done so it is covered. The machine couldn't get into windows so I finally discovered how to boot from the cd drive (completely new to me). I reinstalled windows following complete instruction from dell' guides and help from the boards. Reinstall was long but looked to have worked. I then had to learn that I needed to install the chipset and all the drivers one by one and in order so that is done. The computer is running very slowly so I know there is something still wrong or didn't work as I had expected after reinstall. Next, I followed instructions on restoring from MBR but was unsucessful and wasn't a canidate. Next I found information on doing a diagnostis test. The test can not complete and I recieve the following error code:   Error code- 0700:0120    System Error!       msg: SYSTEM_ERROR \ Illegal attempt to disable intellch SMI without restoring original values first.   I have no clue what this code is telling me and I have search dells sight up and down with no avail. I hope someone out there can help me figure out what I am doing wrong or where I went wrong.     Dott   P.S. I don't want to leave out the fact that after reinstalling windows, Some of windows is missing like the Support and Help so that has been no use to me. I installed my aol software to get on line with the dell but when I try to sign on the modem doesn't dial out but the modem test have said the modem is working properly. The dell is a dell dimension 2400.

VoiS2 · Answer

Dott,

Try ruling out hardware problems such as a bad hard drive on your sister's 2400. I would recommend downloading HDTune v2.51 from hdtune.com and installing it on her machine. Let it do a scan for errors on the hard drive surface. Errors on the physical drive itself can cause install errors such as the one you mentioned.

I do a lot of XP reinstalls and the first thing I do before the reinstall, is to check the drive with HDTune. About 10% of the time there are errors, and sometimes critical ones.

If a hard drive test results in no errors, then I would suggest reinstalling XP again. On rare occasion I have had an install go wrong for reasons unbeknownst to me. But when doing it one more time further, I've had it then work, even though there was nothing done differently from the first attempt.

As you suggest, immediately after install of XP, you will want those chipset drivers installed (using the drivers provided from Intel's website.)

VoiS2 · Answer

Dott --   It's best to use drivers directly from the manufacturer, and since you have a Dell, the manufacturer of the chipset inside is Intel.  In order to ensure you have the right driver, though, you really should use the Intel Chipset Identification Utility which is found here [link below].  It's a tiny program and you should write down everything it reports back to you.  Then post here that info and we'll help you find the right chipset driver set and Application Accelerator.

Dottnmd · Answer

Thanks you very much for the help Vois. I did just as you suggested and I'm happy to have it confirmed that the HD is in a-ok shape without problems. I was thinking of trying another reinstall but wasn't sure I should. I have had the reinstalls go bad myself on my 98 and Me machines. I think I will hold off until tommorrow to do the reinstall again. I am running low on advil and should probably pick up another before going back to it. Are all XP's this labor intensive to recover the system? We have XP on a laptop but thank goodness we have never had any problems other than the fact I hate the LCD screen.

You also mention getting a chipset from intel's website. I am using the one already on the restore cd. This is Ok isn't it to use the one from the cd? Thanks a million for your help. Any other guidance is much welcomed.

Dott

Dottnmd · Answer

Ok, I downloaded the sondra and have it running in the dell. I couldn't find the 'intel chipset utility' so I figured you were referring to the CPU & BIOS Information. Am I correct in assuming this?

VoiS2 · Answer

Dott --

Below are the two tiny programs from Intel which you need to run on the problem Dell. (Below is a standard cut-and-paste I use)

Now, to try and fix things...
I need to know your exact chipset. Install this program below from
Intel and run it, and write down exactly everything that it reports
back to you:
Intel Chipset Identification Utility
http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/Product_Filter.aspx?ProductID=861

Next, download the Processor Identification Utility and get back to me
with all details from the report. It is available below:
http://support.intel.com/support/processors/tools/piu/sb/CS-014921.htm

When I get back those two reports, I'll be able to proced. Thank you -- Travis

VoiS2 · Answer

Dott --

Here are the chipset ID utilities I was referring to earlier. I failed to include a hyperlink! Sorry!

{below is my standard cut-and-paste message for this issue}

Now, to try and fix things...
I need to know your exact chipset. Install this program below from
Intel and run it, and write down exactly everything that it reports
back to you:
Intel Chipset Identification Utility
http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/Product_Filter.aspx?ProductID=861

Next, download the Processor Identification Utility and get back to me
with all details from the report. It is available below:
http://support.intel.com/support/processors/tools/piu/sb/CS-014921.htm

When I get back those two reports, I'll be able to proced. Thank you -- Travis

Dottnmd · Answer

Travis,   I got both downloads from the links in the dell. I ran the one from the first link and it did absolutly nothing. I checked to make sure that the program worked on my PC and all is fine with running it on my PC but still not doing anything on the Dell.   Here is the information from running the utility from the second provided link:   CPU DATA    Intel (R) Celeron(R) CPU 2.40GHz   Processor Classification    CPU Type         0    CPU Family       F    CPU Model        2    CPU Stepping   9    CPU Revision   17   Processor Details    Level 2 cache             128kb    Level 1 data cache         8kb    Level 1 trace cache     12Kuops    Packaging                   FC-PGA2   Other Intel Processor Features    Execute disable but      No    Enhanced Halt state     No

VoiS2 · Answer

Dott --

Thanks for the info from the chipset ID utility. I have bookmarked the page for your chipset drivers, and your Application Accelerator. (More on these later, after we do the following.)

Since it's a Celeron, you'll need to download and run the little program on the link below to ID the processor: http://www.intel.com/support/processors/tools/frequencyid/sb/CS-007623.htm

Then just post here what report you get back on the processor ID. Thanks again. Travis

Dottnmd · Answer

Travis,   I went to the provided link but the download won't open for me.   I have some more information on where I might have went wrond reinstalling. A friend of mine came over during the weekend and said I was just installing wrong and egged me to do the reinstall again and he was sure it would work. Well, I found some problems during the install.   1. During the process of following dells intructions on this sight, I need to put the raid drivers (?) on a floppy and they have to be installed  early in the process. I gave it a try as instructed but I can't get my floppy drive to read my diskettes.   2. Once I was into windows installation, I recieved 3 errors (?) about INF. files missing which I can't understand happening while running the install from the cd.   Maybe this new info can shed some light.

VoiS2 · Answer

Dott,

A proper install of the OS requires a degree of technical experience and practice that most people simply don't have the time to invest into learning. I think you'll have success through sheer determination and learning, but we sure can speed up the process if you desire. (More on that below.)

I don't know if your friend who egged you on gave you any assistance, but I will use RAID as an example. Unless your sister has *two* hard drives that she desires to configure in a logical array for backup redundancy, she doesn't need RAID. If you don't know the previous sentence means, you shouldn't be installing RAID drivers.

I know that the amount of information one needs to consider when installing the OS is overwhelming. The site or set of instructions you were using to install the OS should have explained all of the above. There are good references out there and bad ones, too.

As you speculated, you shouldn't be receiving missing file errors when XP is seeking to install from CD. This could mean other problems, from hard drive issues to CD-ROM issues. It might also mean your CD itself is simply corrupt.

You might wish to email me below and I can provide with you some step-by-step things to prepare for an install. I'll just need to exchange a few question-and-answer emails with you first.

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after windows reinstall problems

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